Tamkin Joint Venture

Tamkin, which means “empowerment” in Arabic, is a groundbreaking program aimed at transforming chronically underperforming Arab elementary schools in Israel.

As part of a large-scale governmental economic development plan for Arab society in Israel, the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Social Equality are partnering with ICEI in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity:  A 33-million shekel ($9 million) 5-year Joint Venture between ICEI and the Ministry that brings ICEI’s Tamkin program to 15 additional schools in dire need of a comprehensive intervention.

Until now, most government investments and programs in the Arab school system targeted high schools, with few pedagogically focused intervention programs in Arab elementary schools. Since research overwhelmingly supports the thesis that acquiring basic literacy skills in elementary school is crucial to future success in all academic fields, interventions in middle school or later may be too late.

The Joint Venture for the Tamkin Program between the Ministry of Education and ICEI, in conjunction and with funding from the Ministry of Social Equality, represents the largest investment the Israeli government has committed to a pedagogically focused Joint Venture in Arab elementary education.

Over time, this unprecedented initiative to expand Tamkin will reduce disparities between Jewish and Arab education systems in Israel. By empowering principals, teachers, schools, and communities, it will help ensure equal access to quality education.